Proposals to cut library opening hours scrapped

Plans to reduce the opening hours at libraries in South Tyneside have been scrapped thanks to an extra cash injection to South Tyneside Council.

- by Tom Patterson

Cllr Tracey Dixon, leader of South Tyneside Council.

Council chiefs have also confirmed that the shop at The Word library in Market Square, South Shields, will also continue to directly managed by the local authority for the year ahead.

The announcement follows opposition to the plan, caused by the council needing to make £11.8m in savings, and the news this week that the council is getting an extra £3.3m in the next financial year through the Government’s National Recovery Grant.